Widow's allowance

Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

On the death of your spouse, you can receive a widow's allowance under certain conditions related in particular to your age and your resources. You want to know if you can benefit, when and how to apply, what is its amount,...? We'll give you the information you need.

The widow's allowance is a temporary sum that can be granted to the surviving spouse, on a means-tested basis.

Your spouse must have been insured under the old-age insurance scheme at least 3 months, whether continuous or not, in the year before death.

Age

You must have under 55.

FYI  

if you are 55 years of age or older, you can request a survivor's pension.

Residence

You must reside in France.

However, there are exceptions. You can inquire with the Pension Insurance or the MSA: titleContent or the pension fund concerned.

Who shall I contact

  • Pension insurance - 39 60

    To inform you about your situation, ask a question about your file, access personal information (follow-up of the file, latest payments, etc.).

    By telephone

     39,60 (or 09 71 10 39 60 from a mobile, a box or the foreigner)

    Free service + call price

    Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm

Family situation

You must be:

  • widower
  • and not living in a couple (remarriage, cohabitation, Civil partnerships)

Resources

Your resources for the 3 calendar months before your application must not exceed €2,662.6725, or €887.5575 per month.

Within 2 years of 1er day of the month of death.

If you apply within 12 months of death, you can receive the allowance from 1er the day of the month in which the death occurred.

If you apply for more than 12 months after death, you are entitled to the allowance from 1er day of the month of your request.

It's tied to the plan you're under.

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Mutual Social Agricultural Organization (MSA)

Application for a widow's allowance from the MSA

You must send your request, as a priority, to the last place of work of your deceased spouse.

However, you can also send your application to another fund (for example, your home).

Starting point

The starting point for your allowance depends on the date you request it:

  • At 1er the day of the month in which the death occurred if you apply within 12 months following death (and if the applicant fulfills the conditions for the award at the date of death),
  • At 1er day of the month of your application if you make your application beyond 12 months after death.

Recurrence

The allowance is paid every month.

Amount

The net widow's allowance is €710.04 per month.

The amount can be reduced depending on your resources.

Cumulation of activity

In the case of paid training or re-employment, you can combine the income received with the widow's allowance within a certain limit and for a certain period of time.

You can inquire with the Pension Insurance or the pension fund concerned.

Who shall I contact

  • Pension insurance - 39 60

    To inform you about your situation, ask a question about your file, access personal information (follow-up of the file, latest payments, etc.).

    By telephone

     39,60 (or 09 71 10 39 60 from a mobile, a box or the foreigner)

    Free service + call price

    Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm

Duration

You receive the widow's allowance:

  • as long as you meet the conditions,
  • up to 2 years (or up to 55 years if you were 50 years old at the time of your spouse's death).

Please note

you must inform your caisse of any change in situation (resources, family situation,...).

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Pension insurance - 39 60

    To inform you about your situation, ask a question about your file, access personal information (follow-up of the file, latest payments, etc.).

    By telephone

     39,60 (or 09 71 10 39 60 from a mobile, a box or the foreigner)

    Free service + call price

    Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm